Laying large ceramic tiles with underfloor heating on wood Help, advice, information, answers and tips on all types of flooring from laminate and carpet to timber and vinyl

[carl_tamboli]

Hi all,

I'm having my hallway tiled. It's currently polished floorboards and I've ordered a product called DITRA matting which cushions any small movement in the wooden floor once the tiles are laid.

Given that I want to install underfloor heating, can I lay the insulation boards directly on the DITRA matting - the DITRA matting is attached to the floor with special adhesive. I guess I would put a layer of adhesive over the DITRA matting and then attach the insulation boards, tape the seams, then lay the underfloor heating matting then attach the tile adhesive followed by the tile.

Am I missing anything, or getting anything wrong here?

Also, which grout should I use on the floor tiles. The tiles are 120X60 and a very light tile and I really don't want the grout to turn black over time. I recall reading some where that there are silicone grouts that remain their original colour - any thought?

Any feedback gratefully received.

Regards, Carl

[rosebery]

"ordered a product called DITRA matting which cushions any small movement in the wooden floor once the tiles are laid."

Ditra is a decoupling mebrane to isolate the tiles from the substrate. Although it has lots of square "bubbles" it does NOT povide a cushioning effect. It's purpose is to allow lateral movement betwen the tiles and the floor below. It is not a complete cure-all and the floor beneath needs to be flat with all movement minimised.

"Given that I want to install underfloor heating, can I lay the insulation boards directly on the DITRA matting - the DITRA matting is attached to the floor with special adhesive."

Ditra is normally laid using your flexible tile adhesive.

"I guess I would put a layer of adhesive over the DITRA matting and then attach the insulation boards, tape the seams, then lay the underfloor heating matting then attach the tile adhesive followed by the tile."

The tiles should be laid on top of the ditra matting otherwise it can't do its job.

"Also, which grout should I use on the floor tiles. The tiles are 120X60 and a very light tile and I really don't want the grout to turn black over time. I recall reading some where that there are silicone grouts that remain their original colour - any thought?"

Conventionally you use grey grout with floor tiles whatever the colour of the tiles. If you are prepared to spend a bit more on your grout you can use Mapei and choose the colour to match the tiles. Make sure its a flexible grout as well.

HTH

Cheers




Edited for spelling!!!

[carl_tamboli]

:D

HTH, thank you so much. his forum is great for people like me who don't know one of a spanner from the other.

What you have said fits perfectly with what I have been told today by my stone supplier. I just wanted to be sure I knew what my builder should be doing.

I really appreciate your efforts.

Regards, Carl

[rosebery]

1. HTH = Hope This Helps

2. So pleased your stone supplier agrees with me.

3. If your builder doesn't - find another one.

Cheers

PS Oh and thanks for saying thanks. So many peeps on this just can't be bothered.